Our planet’s climate is changing and this change is already having, and will continue to have, a lasting impact on our environment and our lives.
Human activities such as the use of fossil fuels, deforestation and unsustainable agriculture have been substantially increasing the atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases.All this will result in additional warming of the Earth’s surface and atmosphereand may adversely affect natural ecosystems and humankind. Climate change also decreases the availability of nutritious food and clean water.
This leads to malnutrition and migration, rendering youth particularly vulnerable.Throughout the year, meteorologists across the world work together to collect, analyse and share information including reliable and timely weather forecasts.The United Nations World Meteorological Day is observed on March 23 to improve our understanding of weather patterns and to better forecast the Earth’s weather and climate.
The day commemorates the entry into force, on that date in 1950, of the convention creating the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO). The main motive behind this day is to examine the state and behaviour of the Earth’s atmosphere and its interaction with climate, ocean and water resources.
This year’s theme “Weather and Climate: Engaging Youth” focuses on how today’s youth will benefit from the dramatic advances being made in science to improve our understanding of weather patterns and to better forecast the Earth’s weather and climate.Most youths will live into the second half of this century and experience the increasing impacts of climate change. About 2.2 billion people in the world are under the age of 18, representing nearly one-third of the population.
It is estimated that 87 per cent of the world’s adolescents live in countries affected by poverty, hunger, disease and violence. Young women are often especially vulnerable to the negative impacts of climate change.
In many societies in times of drought, young women may have to walk much further and more frequently to collect safe water, leaving them vulnerable to disease and violent attack along their route, and with little time to go to school, generate income or take care of their families. Many youths are already experiencing the impacts of the changing global environment.
The WMO encourages youths to learn more about climate system and contribute to action on climate change. As they live and play in their communities, they often gain unique insights into the local environment, its strengths and weaknesses.Young people are also often creative and open-minded in their problem solving: they have initiative to take action to reduce the impact of climate change and prepare to face emergencies. They often play a key role in the survival of their families and communities in the event of disasters.
Despite all of this, children and young people have, to date, been relatively absent in the climate change policies and plans being developed by many countries.These policies and frameworks aim to support countries to reduce the risk posed by climate change. Youth-based organisations must be encouraged to work with local authorities and national governments to establish protective environments for children and young people.
A successful plan is one that is developed, implemented and owned by young people in partnership with other adults in the community.It is believed that by recognising the rights and capacities of youths, the challenges of climate change can be turned into opportunities for sustainable development.Climate change is a global problem and need global solution.
The role of youth is not only to work for sustainable development locally or nationally but also to work for developing such a network that will make the movement of sustainable development global.
(Dr Mayarani Praharaj works in the Department of Architecture, College of Engineering and Technology, Bhubaneswar)